Integrated circuit component

Abstract

An integrated circuit component having an array of rows and columns of programmable coupling elements, the rows being coupled to a plurality of independent input signals and the columns being coupled to output ports through a plurality of selectors. With such circuit component the independent input signals may be selectively coupled to the output ports in accordance with the programmed state of the programmable coupling elements and in accordance with control signals fed to the selectors. Therefore, if it is desired to change the coupling of the input signals to the output ports for the given control signal a different circuit component having differently programmed coupling elements may replace the previously programmed circuit component without requiring changes to printed circuit board connectors.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A circuit module adapted for removable connection to a plurality of input wires and an output wire to electrically interconnect a selected one of the plurality of input wires, each one being adapted to carry an independent logical signal to the output wire thereby to couple a selected one of such independent logical signals to such output wire, such circuit module comprising: (a) an array of conductors arranged in rows and columns;   (b) a plurality of programmable coupling elements, each one being connected between different pairs of the rows and columns of conductors, each one of such elements being adapted to electrically connect or disconnect the pair of rows and columns of conductors connected to such element selectively in accordance with a programmed state of the element;   (c) means, including a plurality of input terminals of such circuit module adapted for removable connection to the plurality of input wires, for electrically coupling each one of the independent logical signals to only one of the rows of conductors; and   (d) selector means, including an output terminal of such circuit module adapted for removable connection to the output wire, for coupling one of the plurality of columns of conductors to the output terminal selectively in accordance with a control signal enabling only a selected one of the independent input signals to pass or be inhibited from passing to the output terminal selectively in accordance with the programmed state of the element.   
     
     
       2. A circuit module adapted for removable connection to a plurality of input wires and an output wire, each one of the plurality of input wires being adapted to carry an independent logical signal, such circuit module comprising: (a) an array of rows and columns of conductors;   (b) a plurality of programmable coupling elements, each one being connected between different pairs of the rows and columns of conductors, each one of such plurality of programmable coupling elements being adapted to electrically connect or disconnect the pair of rows and columns of conductors connected to such element selectively in accordance with a programmed state of the element;   (c) means, including a plurality of input terminals adapted for removable connection to the plurality of input wires, for electrically coupling each one of the independent logical signals to only one of the rows of conductors; and   (d) selector means, including an output terminal of such circuit module adapted for removable connection to the output wire, for coupling a selected one of the plurality of conductors to the output terminal selectively in accordance with a control signal.